Firearm Storage Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A firearm storage apparatus having a U-shaped frame with a first and second vertical bar having a base connecting said first and second bars and one or more crossbars disposed therebetween the first bar and the second bar. The base provides upstanding sidewalls defining an interior volume having an open upper, open ends and a padded wall, wherein the butt of a firearm, such as a rifle, can be placed thereon. The first bar provides a gate hingedly connected thereto, wherein the gate has a first closure mechanism for connection to the second bar having corresponding second closure mechanism. The gate can be opened and closed for securement of the firearm therein, wherein the user can gain easy access to thereto when needed. Knobs protrude from the second crossbar to secure the firearm therein and clamps are disposed on the first crossbar to secure the barrel of a firearm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/971,737 filed on Mar. 28, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to firearm storage apparatuses. More specifically the invention relates to a wall-mountable firearm storage apparatus comprising a frame having crossbars a hingedly connected gate with closure mechanism, and a padded base with an interior volume in which the butt of a firearm can rest therein.

The majority of firearms are stored within the owner's desk, cabinet, under the bed and the like. However, it can be quite difficult to obtain access to these firearms when needed in a quick and easy manner which can result in serious consequences when faced with an emergency situation such as a burglary, robbery, trespass and the like. Further, these storage areas are not quite secure and the firearm may become dislodged, moved and thus may fire unintentionally causing injury to the user or innocent bystanders.

More practical methods of storing firearms involve the use of safes, storage racks and the like that enables the safekeeping of the firearm in a stable position. However, the use of safes prevents the quick and easy access of the firearm and safes can often malfunction and fail to work properly, thus limiting the owner's access to the firearm when needed in an emergency situation. Further, firearm safes may not be adapted to hold and secure several elongated firearms, such as rifles.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a new and improved firearm storage apparatus adapted to secure a firearm such as a rifle therein, having a U-shaped frame that includes a plurality of cross bars and a padded base in which the butt of the firearm can rest. The invention further provides a hingedly connected gate member that can be secured in a closed position via a latch in order to secure the firearm on the storage apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to firearm storage apparatuses. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to firearm storage devices. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,094 to Morton discloses a storage rack system for storing items along the inside area of a door. The device includes an open grid rack and holster grid that can be utilized to support guns therein. Still, the present invention is configured to hold one or more rifles, wherein the invention provides a frame having a base and a hingedly connected gate for securement of a firearm.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,500 to Lacoste provides a gun rack having a unitary body that can be placed in a vertical position on a door. The device provides an upper arcuate arm and a foot member for supporting the gun on the rack. The present invention however, provides a frame having a padded base in which the butt of a firearm can rest therein for easy access thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,790 to Stepp describes a gun safe door storage system that is affixed to an interior surface of a gun safe door having a plurality of integrated pockets in which firearms can be placed and held therein. The present invention offers a firearm storage system that provides a rack or frame type of structure with a padded base, mounting hardware, and a hinged gate that can be opened and closed by the user to quick access to the firearm.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,920 to Szuminski allows for a door mounted rifle rack for use with a gun safe that includes barrel holes and a butt rack, wherein the device is adapted to support firearms in an upright position. However, the present invention is adapted for mounting to a planar surface such as a wall or behind a door in order to remain discreet and hidden from plain view, wherein the invention provides a gate having a latch for securement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,308 describes a pistol hanging system for gun safes providing a retrofittable rack for attachment to the interior door panel of a gun safe that includes removably attached fabric holsters for supporting hand guns. The device includes a hook and loop fasteners for attachment of the device of various surfaces and locations. Nonetheless, the present invention offers a frame or rack apparatus having a plurality of cross bars and a padded base, wherein the invention further provides a hinged gate.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The above discussed firearm storage apparatuses do not provide for a firearm storage apparatus adapted for use particularly with a rifle and having a frame that includes a plurality of cross bars, a padded base in which the butt of a firearm can rest. The invention further provides a hingedly connected gate member that can be secured in a closed position via latch in order to secure the firearm therein. It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing firearm storage devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of firearm storage devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new firearm storage device, wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing a firearm, such as a rifle in a mounted position against a wall of door surface.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved firearm storage device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a firearm storage device having a frame that includes cross bars.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a firearm storage having a padded base portion in which the butt of a firearm can rest therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a firearm storage that can be mounted onto a planar surface, such as a wall or a door.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the firearm storage apparatus having a gun resting in the base thereof, wherein the gate member is in an open position.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the firearm storage apparatus having a hingedly connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the firearm storage apparatus. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for storing firearms in a mounted position against a surface. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the firearm storage apparatus 11 having a firearm resting in a vertical orientation on the base 16 thereof, wherein the gate 13 member is in an open position. The firearm storage apparatus 11 is adapted to hold one or more firearms, such as rifles, in a vertical orientation. The apparatus 11 comprises a U-shaped frame comprising a pair of opposing vertically positioned bar members 18, 19 that are oriented in a parallel arrangement and a horizontally positioned base 16 connecting the lower ends of said bar members 18, 19, wherein the vertically positioned bar members comprise a first bar 18 and a second bar 19. There is a plurality of cross bars 23, 24 horizontally disposed between the first bar 18 and the second bar 19. Both the first bar 18 and the second bar 19 provide a first end, wherein the first end comprises fasteners 12, such as hooks, in order to enable the firearm storage apparatus 11 to be placed over the top edge of a door in order to hang therefrom. The first bar 18 and the second bar 19 comprise elongated rectangular shaped structures being substantially planar.

The plurality of cross bars 23, 24 are arranged as such that they are parallel to one another and are disposed therebetween the first bar 18 and the second bar 19 in a perpendicular orientation. The plurality of crossbars can be at least one crossbar, however the firearm storage apparatus provides two crossbars in a preferred embodiment being a first cross bar 23 and a second crossbar 24 in order to adequately contact the body of a firearm 15, such as a rifle in order to prevent the firearm from contacting the wall and to promote the butt of the firearm to remain in place within the interior volume of the base on the padded portion thereof. The first cross bar 23 provides a plurality of L-shaped clamps 14 disposed along the length thereof. The L-shaped clamps 14 extend perpendicularly from the first cross bar leaving a space, wherein the barrel of a firearm 15 can slide therein and be secured via the L-shaped clamps 14. The L-shaped clamps 14 comprise an elongated rectangular shape and are planar in structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the L-shaped clamps 14 are attached to and are integral with the first cross bar.

Both the first end and the second end of the first crossbar 23 provides a first aperture 17 disposed thereon, wherein the first aperture 17 can be a plurality of apertures that are horizontally disposed along the length of the first cross bar 23. The first bar 18 and the second bar 19 comprise a plurality of second apertures 30 that are vertically disposed along the length thereof, wherein the first apertures 17 of the first cross bar are adapted to align and engage with the second apertures 30 of the first bar 18 and the second bar 19. Thus, both the first apertures 17 and the second apertures 30 are adapted to receive a fastener therethrough, wherein the user can align the first apertures 17 with the second apertures 30 to adjust the height of the first cross bar 23 relative to the first bar 18 and the second bar 19 such that the user can elevate or lower the first cross bar 23 along the length of the first bar 18 and the second bar 19 and can fasten the first cross bar 23 to the first bar 18 and the second bar 19. For example, the user can insert a fastener such as a nail, pin and the like into the first apertures 17 at the first end and the second end of the first cross bar 23 through the second apertures 30 of the first bar 18 and the second bar 19 for securement thereto.

The second cross bar 24 comprises a plurality of knobs 20 that extend outwardly and thus perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the plurality of knobs 20 provide a cylindrical shape and are intended to act as a barrier between a plurality of firearms held within the firearm storage apparatus. The knobs 20 are horizontally disposed along the length of the second cross bar and provide space therebetween in which a portion of the firearm 15 near the butt thereof can be placed and can rest flush against the second cross bar 24 in order to prevent the removal or dislodging of the firearm from the firearm storage apparatus 11.

The gate 13 comprises an elongated bar pivotally secured to the second bar 19. The gate 13 is perpendicular to the second bar 19 and pivots in a horizontal plane. The gate 13 can engage with a locking mechanism on the first bar 18 in order to secure the gate 13 in a closed configuration. When the gate 13 is in a closed position, it is arranged parallel to the second crossbar 24 of the firearm storage apparatus 11. In a preferred embodiment, the gate 13 provides a locking or closure mechanism that comprises a latch 22, wherein the latch 22 can be a deadbolt latch, a spring latch, a slam latch, a cam lock, a Suffolk latch and/or other suitable locking mechanisms. The user can grasp the gate 13 of the firearm storage apparatus 11 and proceed to open the gate 13 via the latch mechanism. The base 16 comprises a padded material in order to comfortably accommodate the butt of a firearm 15 such as rifle, thereon. However, the firearm storage apparatus is not limited for use with rifles and can be made in a smaller or larger size in order to accommodate shot guns, pistols, machine guns, revolvers, a musket and the like.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the firearm storage apparatus 11 having a gate 13 hingedly connected thereto. The gate 13 provides a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is hingedly connected to the second side of the second bar 18 of the firearm storage apparatus 11. The user can open the gate 13 via the latch 22 and place a firearm in a vertical orientation therein, wherein the butt of the firearm 15 can contact the base 16 of the firearm storage apparatus 11 and the barrel of the firearm 15 rests against the first cross bar 23 and the second crossbar 24. The clamps 14 and pegs 20 are used to separate multiple rifles from one another and so as to maintain the rifles in an upright, vertical orientation.

The base 16 comprises an elongated C-shaped channel having a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall defining an interior volume having an open upper and open ends. The third wall comprises a first side a second side, wherein the second side comprises a padded portion such that the butt of the firearm 15 rests on top of the padded portion of the second side of the third wall of the base 16.

In an alternative embodiment, the first bar 18 and the second bar 19 of the firearm storage apparatus 11 provide a plurality of mounting holes disposed along the length thereof and integral therewith. The user can place the first side of the firearm storage apparatus 11 against the back of a door or a wall and proceed to place screws, bolts, nails and other suitable fasteners into the mounting holes thereof and hammer or drill the fasteners into the door or wall for securement thereto. However, the firearm storage apparatus 11 is not limited to mounting holes in order to attach it to a wall, door, or other planar surface. The firearm storage apparatus 11 can be made from stainless steel, metal, wood, plastic, rubber, aluminum and/or other suitable materials.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. The firearm storage apparatus comprising: a U-shaped frame; said U-shaped frame having a first bar, a second bar, and a base; at least one crossbar connecting said first bar and said second bar; said first bar having a first end and a second end; said second bar having a first end and a second end; said at least one cross bar having support members thereon being horizontally oriented between said first bar and said second bar and thus perpendicular therewith; said second bar having a first closure mechanism for securing a gate in a closed position; said base connecting said first end of said first bar and said first end of said second bar and adapted to support a portion of a firearm thereon; said gate pivotally attached to said first bar and adapted to secure a firearm.
 2. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 1, said gate having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, said first end being hingedly connected to said second side of said first bar and said second end having a second closure mechanism; said second closure mechanism being adapted to secure to said first closure mechanism of said second bar.
 3. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a C-shaped channel having a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall defining an interior volume and having open ends and an open upper.
 4. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 3, wherein said third wall of said base comprises a padded material.
 5. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first end of said first bar and the first end of said second bar further comprises hooks adapted to be placed over the edge of a door for mounting thereto.
 6. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one crossbar comprises a plurality of knobs extending therefrom.
 7. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 6, wherein said knobs comprise a cylindrical shape.
 8. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 6, wherein said knobs comprise bolts.
 9. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first bar and said second bar further comprise at least one aperture vertically disposed thereon, wherein said at least one aperture is adapted for adjustment of said at least one cross bar along the length of said first bar and said second bar.
 10. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one cross bar comprises a first cross bar and a second cross bar.
 11. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first cross bar comprises at least one clamp disposed therefrom and extends outwardly therefrom, said clamp adapted to hold the barrel of a firearm.
 12. The firearm storage apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first bar comprises apertures, wherein said second bar comprises apertures, wherein said crossbar comprises apertures that can be aligned with said apertures on said first and second crossbar and secured thereto via fasteners at a desired height. 